larrytrk

My new 09 PDK got 28 mpg at over 70 mph on trip from MA to NJ in normal mode. Great, except it liked to stay around 1500 to 1800 RPM in 7th all the time, which I consider Lugging.
Do we trade off mileage for possible reduced engine life, because of possible lugging at low RPM.. I've always considered driving at 2000RPM minimum with my 6 speed.
Am I just being crazy, should I expect that Porsche engineers, in their infinite wisdom, deem 1500RPM as fine for the new engines?
Now at 1700miles, screw mileage, using sport, keeping revs at 20000 or above, Just questioning...

MLindgren

I do agree that 20000 would be far more exciting than 1500 but the excitement wouldn't last as long.

Coochas

Larry, I may be mistaken but I do not believe that lugging is a big a deal on modern engines. In a PDK car as soon as you give it a decent amount of throttle, I would think it would downshift.
That being said, I never lug my motors!

larrytrk

Thanks guys, just seems weird based on past 6 speed experience. :>)
PDK newbie!!!!

rijowysock

seems weird, but car acts fine.. and downshifts when needed.. i let it be.. if i want to pass someone or have fun i just give it more gas or override with a downshift.. i dont get people that are upset with it being in 7th... u touch the gas and it will instantly go to 6th/5th... so no downsides.

ATX

I agree, hard to get used to at first. But with less than 500 miles (yes I know it is sad that I haven't driven it more) I have already started to appreciate the flexibility of the car. Slow and easy when you want it that way, but with a quick push on the gas pedal you can get aggressive in a hurry. Very enjoyable.......

tstafford

Totally agree. Seems weird at first, but it's fine. I too appreciate the flexibility. But it's so flexible that several times it's disappeared out of the garage. Wife doesn't like 6-speed, but PDK. . .

Overdraft

funny you mention that...I had little opposition to committing 997 TT dough from the family budget after my pitch on the PDK. Technical merits asside, makes for a happier relationship when both of you can wheel the car around town....

echere88

Just have 300 miles on the new C2S. i stuck in the los angeles highway traffic lots of times. When driving with pdk, i feel lugging even with 1st or 2nd gear due to very slow traffic. Should i use manual mode? Or should i just not driving it during the heavy traffic hours? What you think. Thanks.

stevepow

I try to avoid rush hour traffic - it's a soul killer. Take the bus if you have to.

boolala

It's just like the tip in that regard. Unless you are agressive with the throttle it will choose the highest gear possible to save on fuel.

Chris C.

The owner's manual still warns against lugging the engine - I'd imagine the PDK downshifts fast enough to prevent lugging which is too high a gear under load.

Still, would take a lot of getting used to for me. I don't cruise around in 6th gear on boulevards...

Macster

1500 ok as long as load not high. Traveling on level ground at a steady speed 1500 ok. One concern is with other style engines oil pressure drops as rpms drop. And with any heavy load the oil pressure may not be enough to prevent some metal to metal contact at the bearing interfaces. Wear occurs.

These new engines have a variable oil pump and it could be the output of the pump is increased some to provide more oil pressure at lower engine speeds when car is moving.

Coupled with a PDK transmission that upon high (enough) torque demand from driver will downshift and thus of course raise engine rpms.. I think these new engines will be ok with this lower rpm operation more so than the old style engines coupled to a manual transmission and operated by a driver who may not be as sensitive to the engine's loading at low rpms as he should.

Sincerely,

Macster.

todd.

It's a Porsche 911, dumbing down the rpm's to that extreme for better mileage is asinying, and disparages a great sports car.
I cannot stand to drive my PDK in Auto mode, not even in traffic, it's pathetic. So, I drive in Manual mode only, gotten used to the controls, and enjoy it.

stevepow

+1